BIO
Interview with Pamela Brewer

How did you get involved in teaching yoga?
I began in 1996 as a mind/body fitness instructor, certified with the N.I.A Technique (Neuromuscular Integrative Action). N.I.A. is a blending of elements from dance, yoga, and martial arts. After teaching in health clubs for a while and earning a white belt and blue belt in N.I.A., I decided to develop the yoga aspect in my training. I started taking a variety of yoga classes around Austin. I attended the “Power Yoga” teacher training that was offered at the gym where I was currently instructing. After certification I started teaching.

How has your background in N.I.A influenced your abilities as a yoga teacher?
Teaching a lot of mind/body classes was good practice in just teaching and moving at the same time. The N.I.A blue-belt intensive focused on internal and external aspects of communication to develop skills to support mind and body teaching.

Since beginning your Yoga Classes, have you continued to develop your teaching skills?
Yes, after teaching yoga at the gym I wanted to extend my knowledge about yoga. I began taking yoga classes and workshops at Yoga Yoga, a local studio in Austin. When they began the teacher training program I signed up. I quit teaching all my yoga classes except one. I completed a 200-hour program, with a focus in Ashtanga yoga. I am currently registered with “Yoga Alliance”.

Are you still associated with the gym you began at?
No, I have moved on from there. I currently teach at the University of Texas in the Fitness/Wellness department and at Ruta Maya Café as a part of their Wellness community.

What have you learned/gained through your experience as a Yoga teacher?
My yoga practice taught me an intimacy with myself that has been very powerful mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I learned to teach what I know, so I try and teach others how to listen to their best teacher, themselves.